Fuel tank sensor is piezoceramic

Problem: - there is too much movement within the tank and float-based sensors simply cannot deliver the required accuracy. Solution: Morgan Electro Ceramics has helped develop a new fuel level sensor for the new 2005 Ford GT car. The company claims that the sensor, which forms part of a highly innovative fuel tank system developed for Ford by its supplier TI Automotive, is the first in the auto industry to use a piezoceramic material. Enclosed within TI's blow moulded plastic fuel tank are fuel pumps, level sensors and other components. The fuel tank has only one or two openings in its shell, compared to the usual six or seven normally required. TI Automotive's new technology, which it calls 'Ship in a bottle' (SIB), significantly reduces the evaporative emissions and provides additional space for a larger fuel tank - such as that required by the GT's 500hp engine. The piezoceramic sensor is installed at the bottom of the interior of the fuel tank. An electric current is sent to the piezoceramic material, which responds to the current by oscillating. This then sends a sound wave into the liquid that returns to the transducer registering the current fuel level based on a 'time of flight' measurement. Applications: While the sensor was specifically developed for a blow moulded plastic car fuel tank, Morgan's piezoceramic sensor material, PZT5A2, can be used for numerous industrial applications including harsh fuel or oil environments. DP